ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
National Policy on Bio-Fuel
The National Policy on Biofuels-2018 notified on 8.6.2018, inter-alia, allows production of ethanol from damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice etc. which are unfit for human consumption. The policy also allows conversion of surplus quantities of food grains to ethanol, based on the approval of National Biofuel Coordination Committee.
Use of damaged foodgrains and surplus foodgrains for production of ethanol will increase its availability for Ethanol Blended Petrol  Programme. During the ethanol supply year 2017-18, 150.5 crore litres of ethanol was blended in Petrol which resulted in foreign exchange impact of about Rs. 5070 crore and carbon emission reduced to the extent of 29.94 lakh tonnes.
The National Policy on Biofuels-2018 approved by the Government envisages an indicative target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol and 5% blending of bio-diesel in diesel by 2030. Under EBP programme, ethanol blending in petrol is being undertaken by the Oil Marketing Companies  in whole country except island Union Territory  of Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep wherein, OMCs blend up to 10 % ethanol in petrol under the EBP Programme.
Further, Government has approved Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana to provide Viability Gap Funding  to Second Generation bio-ethanol manufacturing projects to increase availability of ethanol for EBP programme. Ministry has also issued Gazette Notification dated 1.5.2019 on “Guidelines for sale of Biodiesel for blending with high speed diesel for transportation purposes-2019” dated 30.4.2019.
Government has decided to leapfrog directly to BS-VI quality w.e.f. 1st April, 2020 in the entire country. Considering the rise in environmental pollution in National Capital Region, Government has started supply of BS-VI auto fuel in National Capital Territory of Delhi from 1st April, 2018. Further, in line with the directions issued by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, supply of BS-VI auto fuel has started in ten districts of National Capital Region and three other districts/cities outside of National Capital Region  w.e.f. 1st April, 2019.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 118Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 16.13 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccinemanufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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1,18,24,36,185
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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16,13,69,661
More than 118 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 16.13 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Steel
Webinar to be organised on “New Opportunities for Steel in Construction and Infrastructure”
Ministry of Steel in association with the Indian Steel Association  is organising the second edition of its series of webinars on Steel titled "New Opportunities for Steel in Construction and Infrastructure” tomorrow. Union Minister of Steel and Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will be the Chief Guest and Minister of State for Steel, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste will be the Guest of honor on the occasion.
The webinar will focus on new opportunities for steel and fresh perspectives on steel's usage in the Construction and Infrastructure sector. Prominent industry leaders from steel, construction, and infrastructure sector will participate in the webinar.
Congratulating ISA for organizing this webinar, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said in a message, “The Indian steel industry has shown tremendous resilience in recent times. A rapid growth in production has resulted in India becoming the 2nd largest producer of crude steel. The Covid-19 Pandemic threw great challenges but together we have found ways
and solutions to overcome them. The steel sector has now entered a new phase of development and is poised to become more vibrant, competitive and sustainable. Government of India has recently introduced a new incentive scheme - Production Linked Incentive  Scheme in various sectors including steel and the primary focus has been placed on special steels”. He expressed the hope that the webinar would provide a great platform to all the participants, delegates, and other key decision makers from the steel, construction, and other infrastructure related industries to interact on the new opportunities for steel.
The Minister of State for Steel, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste in his message said “about 65-67% of Steel is consumed by Construction and Infrastructure. It is, therefore, important that new opportunities for Steel usage are identified”.
AYUSH
Ministry of Ayush to organise scientific convention on World Homoeopathy Day
Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy under Ministry of AYUSH is organising a scientific convention on the occasion of the World Homoeopathy Day on 10th April 2023 at New Delhi. Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar will inaugurate the scientific convention and Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal will grace the occasion. MoS for Ayush and WCD Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai, Member of Parliament Dr. Manoj Rajoria, and Secretary Ayush Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha will also present.
World Homoeopathy Day is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of the founder of Homoeopathy, Dr. Christian Fredrich Samuel Hahnemann to mark his 268th birth anniversary. The theme of this scientific convention is ‘Homoeoparivar- Sarvajan Swasthya, One Health, One Family’.
The delegates of the convention would include homoeopathic researchers, scientists from interdisciplinary streams, practitioners, students, industrialists as well as representatives of various homoeopathic associations. The MoUs will be exchanged between CCRH & various homoeopathic colleges and also between CCRH & Directorate of Homoeopathy, Government of Kerala. On this occasion, one documentary, one portal and 08 books of CCRH will also be released.
During the convention, various sessions on policy aspects, advancement in Homoeopathy, research evidences and clinical experiences in Homoeopathy will be conducted. The eminent speakers such as Sh. Ajit M Sharan, IAS, Former Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Sh. Rahul Sharma, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Dr. Sangeeta A. Duggal, Advisor , Ministry of Ayush, Dr. Raj K. Manchanda, Director , Delhi & Former DG, CCRH, Dr. Anil Khurana, Charman, NCH & Former DG, CCRH, Dr. Subhash Kaushik, DG, CCRH, Dr. Shailendra Saxena, Vice Dean, Professor & Head, Centre for Advanced Research, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Dr. Subhas Singh, Director, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata, etc. will deliver their lectures during the event.
This flag-off event at Vigyan Bhawan will be followed by the zonal World Homoeopathy Day events in five locations in India. This scientific convention will give insights into a future roadmap to Homoeopathic integration in research, education and integrative care through deliberations of various key stakeholders.
Ministry of Defence
INSV Tarini departs port Louis, Mauritius after speedy Repair of her steering system
INSV Tarini, with its team of six women officers departed Port Louis, Mauritius, for the last leg of the circumnavigation, at 1000 hours today on 26 April 2018. The vessel had entered Port Louis on 18 April 2018 for emergency repairs to her steering gear.
The High Commission of India, Mauritius in coordination with National Coast Guard, Mauritius provided complete assistance towards speedy defect rectification, which included diving repair work, provisioning of requisite spares and technical support. The steering system was rectified and Tarini undertook a trial sortie off Port Louis to ascertain operational availability of steering gear at sea.
The vessel is expected to arrive at Goa in mid May 2018.
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DKS/AC 32/18
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Ministry of Finance
Government of India & AIIB sign an Agreement for $750 Million for COVID-19 support for India
The Government of India and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank  here today signed a $750 million “COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support Programme” to assist India to strengthen its response to the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on poor and vulnerable households. This is the first ever budgetary support programme from the AIIB to India.
The agreement was signed by Shri Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India and Shri Rajat Misra, Director General , on behalf of the AIIB.
Shri Khare said, “We thank AIIB’s assistance for the government’s immediate response to the coronavirus pandemic to provide social assistance for compensating economic loss to vulnerable sections including women and social security measures enhanced for affected workers in both organised and informal sectors. AIIB’s timely financial support will contribute to the effective implementation of the government’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Programme.
The Programme will provide the Government of India with budget support to mitigate the severe adverse social and economic impact of COVID-19. The current loan will be the second to India from AIIB under its COVID-19 crisis recovery facility apart from the earlier approved $500 million loan for the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project.
The Primary Programme beneficiaries would be families below the poverty line, farmers, healthcare workers, women, women’s self-help groups, widows, people with disabilities, senior citizens, low wage earners, construction workers and other vulnerable groups.
Mr D.J. Pandian, AIIB vice-president  said that AIIB’s support to India aims to ensure economic resilience to prevent long-term damage to the productive capacity, including human capital, of India’s economy.
The project is being financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank  and Asian Development Bank  in the amount of $2.250 billion, of which $750 million will be provided by AIIB and $1.5 billion will be provided by ADB. The project will be executed by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, through various line ministries.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank  is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia, began operations in January 2016. AIIB has now grown to 102 approved members worldwide.
Prime Minister's Office
Foreign Minister of Israel calls on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
They discuss bilateral cooperation in priority areas such as agriculture, water, innovation and people-to-people ties
PM conveys his warm greetings to Prime Minister Netanyahu
Foreign Minister of Israel, H.E. Mr. Eli Cohen, called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.
They discussed a number of issues of bilateral cooperation, including priority areas of agriculture, water, innovation and knowledge partnership tapping into the wide-ranging complementarities of the two economies as well as strengthening people-to-people ties.
They also exchanged views on various regional and international issues of mutual interest.
PM requested FM Eli Cohen to convey his warm greetings to Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu.
Ministry of Education
Government sets up National Steering Committee for implementation of the NIPUN Bharat Mission
The Department of School Education and Literacy had launched the National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy, NIPUNBharat Mission on 5th July, 2021 with the aim to achieve the goal of universal proficiency in foundational literacy and numeracy for every child by grade 3, as envisaged by National Education Policy 2020. As prescribed in the Mission guidelines, a National Steering Committee  for implementation of the NIPUN Bharat Mission has been constituted on 25thOctober, 2021 under the chairpersonship of the Union Education Minister, ShriDharmendraPradhanand Vice Chairpersonship of Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi.
The other members of the NSC include: Secretary, School Education & Literacy; Director NCERT; Vice Chancellor NIEPA; Chairperson NCTE; Secretary Education Uttar Pradesh; Secretary Education, Karnataka; Director SCERT Gujarat; Director SCERT Sikkim; Representatives of 7 Union Ministries i.e., Women and Child Development, Tribal Affairs, Social Justice and Empowerment, Health and Family Welfare, Finance, Electronics and Information Technology and Panchayati Raj; Two Experts from NCERT and RIE Ajmer; and Three External Experts. The Joint Secretary and Mission Director NIPUN Bharat Mission is the convenor for the NSC.
The following are the roles and responsibilities of the NSC for the NIUPN Bharat Mission:
- To oversee the progress of National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy and provide guidance on policy issues.
- To arrive at the target to be achieved nationally in 2026-27.
- To disseminate tools for measurement of yearly progress in the form of guidelines.
- To prepare and approve a National Action Plan  with KRAs for every State/UT vis-à-vis factors attributable for the gaps .
- To review programmatic and financial norms periodically to ensure they are synchronised with targets to be achieved.
- To develop methodology of assessment to analyse the progress and provide feedback to States/UTs.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
NIPCCD organizes Workshop on ‘Legislations and Schemes related to Women’ under Mission Shakti in New Delhi
National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development  organized a Workshop on ‘Legislations and Schemes related to Women’ for Functionaries of Women Care Institutions under Mission Shakti from 21 – 23 August, 2023 at NIPCCD headquarters New Delhi. 26 Participants attended the Workshop.
Prime Minister's Office
PM interacts with PMO officials on Diwali Milan
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with PMO officials on the occasion of ‘Diwali Milan’, organised at PM’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg today. He extended warm Diwali greetings to everyone on the occasion.
Prime Minister discussed the country’s battle against the pandemic. He underlined how the country has displayed unity and brotherhood in fighting the common faceless enemy. He also talked about the positive changes that have come about in society and governance as a result of the pandemic, adding that these changes have made societies more resilient.
Prime Minister highlighted how difficult times often lead to realization of inherent potential among people, processes and institutions. He exhorted PMO officials to draw inspiration from this spirit.
Highlighting the significance of this decade towards laying a strong foundation for the nation for 2047 and beyond, Prime Minister said that all of us in PMO must work together to our fullest potential and help the nation attain greater heights.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
National Overseas Scholarship
As per the new guidelines that streamlined the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for SC students, preference is given to subjects viz science and technology where there is greater demand from the students. Further, research in subjects where Indian universities have considerable strength and where the field work has to be in India, can be done in Indian Universities for funding which there is already a National Fellowship Scheme. Accordingly, topics/courses concerning Indian Culture, Heritage, History & Social studies on India will not be considered for award of scholarships from 2022-23 onwards, whereas other Humanities/Social Sciences subjects, such as Law, Economics, Psychology etc. which need international exposure are still available for funding. This change has provided more opportunities for the poor SC students to study in global best universities.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched, w.e.f. 01.04.2021, a Scheme for Promoting Silver Economy ) with an objective to encourage the entrepreneurs to think about the problems of the elderly and come out with innovative solutions. The Government aims to achieve the objective by providing upto Rs. 1 crore as financial assistance through equity participation, through an open invitation on a portal namely Seniorcare Ageing Growth Engine .
W.e.f 01.04.2021 the Ministry has also launched a Scheme of Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity  portal. Many senior citizens have experience, time and energy which can be used by the business enterprises looking for stable employees with experience. The Human resources cells of many private enterprises seek experienced but stable persons in certain positions. The portal allows bringing these people together by virtual matching of preferences. The portal has been launched by the Vice President of India on International Day on Older Persons , 2021 i.e. on 01/10/2021.
With effect from 01.04.2021 the Ministry has also launched a Scheme of Action Groups Aimed at Social Reconstruction : Elderly Self Help groups - The Senior Citizens are encouraged to form Self-Help Groups , which will provide them with a platform to share the time constructively with each other. To attain financial assistance under the scheme, SHGs will function as ‘Action Groups Aimed at Social Reconstruction ’.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri A. Narayanaswamy in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
UPSC
Result of the Civil Services  Examination, 2021
On the basis of the result of the Civil Services  Examination, 2021 held on 10/10/2021, the candidates with the following Roll Numbers have qualified for admission to the Civil Services  Examination, 2021.
The candidature of these candidates is provisional. In accordance with the Rules of the Examination, all these candidates have to apply again in the Detailed Application Form-I  for the Civil Services  Examination, 2021. The dates and important instructions for filling up of the DAF-I and its submission will be announced in due course on the website of the Commission.
Candidates are also informed that marks, cut off marks and answer keys of CS  Examination, 2021 will be uploaded on the Commission’s website i.e. https://upsc.gov.in only after the entire process of the Civil Services Examination, 2021 is over i.e. after the declaration of final result.
The Union Public Service Commission has a Facilitation Counter near the Examination Hall Building in its premises at Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi. Candidates may obtain any information/clarification regarding their result of the above mentioned Examination on all working days between 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM, in person or on Tel. No. 011-23385271, 011-23098543 or 011-23381125 from the Facilitation Counter.
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SNC/RR
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Ministry of Defence
Curtain Raiser: Exercise INDRA 2019
Exercise INDRA 2019 a joint, tri services exercise between India and Russia will be conducted in India from 10 — 19 December 2019 simultaneously at Babina , Pune, and Goa. The INDRA series of exercise began in 2003 and the First joint Tri Services Exercise was conducted in 2017, It will be a historic occasion for two of the world's greatest Armed Forces to join hands and successfully conduct an exercise of this magnitude with professionalism, to imbibe the best practices from each other, jointly evolve and drills to defeat the scourge of terror under the United Nation mandate.
Company sized mechanised contingents, fighter and transport aircraft as well as ships of respective Army, Air Force and Navy wiil participate in this exercise of ten days duration. The exercise will consist of a five day training phase consisting of a comprehensive training curriculum. Tactical operations end drills such as cordon house intervention, handling and neutralisation of Improvised Explosive Devices, prevention of arms smuggling through the sea route and anti-piracy measures will be practiced. This training phase will be followed by a 72 hour validation exercise. INDRA 2019 will culminate on 19 December with an Integrated Fire Power demonstration and the Closing Ceremony.
The contingents of both the countries will share expertise and their professional experience. The espirit-de-corps and goodwill shall be the key areas during the exercise which will facilitate further strengthening of bonds between the defence forces of India and Russia.
Col Aman Anand
PRO 
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